Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-08
The ahta Daily Eagles ghursday gornino peecnber s.

eyes, ner cherry lips, her pretty waving,
glossy black hair. Marie, whose eyes be-
trayed not the slightest deception. I'm
affected, truthful and as pure and unde-
filed as the flowers she lived among.
How was it possible that / could have
neglected such noble, generous girl for
that painted butterfly? Then longed to
see Marie as had never longed to see
any one before. / knew that she was also
at ball that night, at the Flower club
ball-she had told me so, bashfully, as
she dropped her eyelashes on her rosy
cheeks that afternoon in the flower store.
Guided by an uncomfortable impulse, /
found myself going to the street in which
stood the elegant building of the Flower
association, and in a few moments stood
in the ball room. Marie saw me at once
from where she sat alone. She dropped
her eyes for an instant and then looked
up TO me as / approached with such look
of glad surprise that felt thrill of in
describable happiness run over me.
But stood before her unable to speak.
l can't remember that ever felt SO much
misgiving in my life before. All at once
the thought struck me like a blow, what
if | could not get herr What if she should
feel contempt for my seeming tickle dis
position? She seemed to be so far above
me in everything, so noble, so good.
''You here, Herr Crowsfeld Thought
you were with Fraulein" she blushed deep
er and corrected herself Sat Kasino ball"
81 have been there, p" l said, ''but left to
look you up" ''Me?'' she said, almost in
a whisper. eyes, you, Fraulein Marie,
have been very much mistaken in my feel
ings all along" Then / told her all;
all about my infatuation for Fraulein
Gunthert eyes, Marie" said, 81 have
been zealously endeavorIng to grasp a
painted flower, and passed the really fresh
and natural one unnoticed. No, not
unnOticed," / said, as she suddenly
opened her eyes wider and looked at me
shyly and almost panied Il suppressed
all my inclinations toward you to crafty
the foolish spell that was on me-
Marie looked me earnestly in the eyes an
instant, then she slyly took my hand, and
pressing it in her little warm soft palm,
said, Il believe you and trust you; have
been troubled ebout you long time. /
have known Fraulein Gunthert many
years and | knew she could not make you
happy" Then the orchestra began play
ing waltz and the next moment Marie
was in my arms 1t was the happiest
waltz Of my life Towards midnight Herr
Behre, Marie's father, in an excellent
humor from the effects of the champagne,
which the old gentleman had participated
in, in an adjoining room, came to look
after Marie. He seemed surprised TO find
her with ne. "What will Fraulein Gun
thert say to this, my boy?'' he said.
shaking his finger knowingly at me. "Do
you know what black rose is, Herr
Rehre?" ! said in answer.
''Pah! foolishness! there are no natur
ally black roses. Colored humbugs," he
said, warmly. 'Weu" l whispered in
his ear, that is FTaulein Gunthert. l
have had my eyes opened ton ght; l have
never seen Marie in her true light before.
] want her, Herr Behre, and she is willing
10 take me- We have known each other
long time. VIII you consent to it?''
lie looked at me sharply for a moment;
then glancing at Marie's happy face, said:
IF Marie wishes it. We fathers must
always accede to our daughters wishes.
1ou will find my answer in Marie's face.
Take her, and God bless you both"
So won my wife and LIES happiness.
Translated from the German by W. n.
Harden for The Sunny South.